INTERNATIONAL backgammon tournament
START INTERNATIONAL

Season 2025/2026
December 22, 2025 – may 18, 2026
The Russian Backgammon Federation, in partnership with TV START, proudly presents
START INTERNATIONAL
the Backgammon Tournament

All matches are played live in the TV studio and broadcast every Monday.
Each broadcast features one 56-minute match, delivering professional, uninterrupted competition.

December 22, 2025 – may 18, 2026
The Russian Backgammon Federation, in partnership with TV START, proudly presents
START INTERNATIONAL
the Backgammon Tournament

All matches are played live in the TV studio and broadcast every Monday.
Each broadcast features one 56-minute match, delivering professional, uninterrupted competition.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT
Total duration: 20 weeks
Stage I — Team Battle
  • 2 teams × 4 players
  • Round-robin between teams
  • Each player competes against all four players of the opposing team
  • Teammates do not play each other
  • One match per week
  • Total duration: 16 weeks
Stage II — Playoffs
  • Top team from Stage I advances
  • Four players compete individually
  • 2 Semifinals, 3rd place match and a final
  • Total duration: 4 weeks
regulations
Meet the teams!
"WINNER'S TEAM"
  • Masayuki Mochizuki

    Team Captain

    Super Grand Master S2, 2009 and 2021 World Champion, four-time winner of the Ultimate Backgammon Championship (UBC).
    • Representing Japan
  • Michihito Kageyama
    Grand Master G0, tournament winner: Gothenburg Open, Munich Open, Portugal Open, Athens Open, Mallorca Open, Menton Open.
    • Representing Japan
  • Sergey Erokhin
    Grand Master G3 , 2024 Russian vice-champion in Speedgammon. The winner of the 1st Merit Open 2013 tournament. 2015 World Championship finalist. 2018 Monte Carlo Open finalist. Winner of the 9th Merit Open-2021, doubles.
    • Representing Russia
  • Aleksey Ignarin
    Winner and multiple prize-winner of national-level tournaments in Russia.
    • Representing Russia
"TEAM KHORS"
  • Aykut Uzel
    Team Captain

    2021 Dubai Oasis Champion. Two-time finalist of Istavder Cyprus Open Main, Masters.
    • Representing Turkey
  • Tobias Hellwag
    Winner and prize-winner of major international tournaments.
    • Representing Germany
  • Timur Azizov
    Winner and multiple prize-winner of major international tournaments.
    2025 Russian Backgammon Champion, winner of START Superleague, season 2024/2025.
    • Representing Russia
  • Sergey Petuhov
    Prize-winner of international tournaments, winner and prize-winner of major all-Russian tournaments. 2024 Vice-champion of Russia in long backgammon.
    • Representing Russia
upcoming MATCHES
19.01.2026
16:30 MSK
GMT+3
Timur Azizov - Alexey Ignarin

19.01.2026

16:30 MSK

GMT+3

Timur Azizov - Alexey Ignarin

view the schedule
Standings (I Round)
Where to watch live broadcasts
Russian Backgammon Federation VKontakte page
TV Start website
YouTube